FOXBORO, Mass. — Mike Shanahan has done as much for the Broncos’ organization as just about anyone, save for quarterback John Elway, but he never sparked a Shanny-mania.
Shanahan, the current Redskins head coach who led the Broncos to a pair of Super Bowl titles in 14 seasons, loves to see what quarterback Tim Tebow has done for the Denver organization.
Tebow has sparked a tremendous debate over his football ability since getting drafted in the first round in 2010. Yet he has led the Broncos to a 7-3 record in 10 career starts, and they’re 6-1 behind him this season. The Broncos were 1-4 when Tebow took over as the starter, and now they’re tied for first place in the AFC West.
Because of Tebow’s popularity — or notoriety, depending on one’s particular viewpoint — CBS and NBC just went through a massive, unprecedented battle for the rights to the Broncos’ Week 15 game against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Shanahan thinks Tebowmania has been great for the Broncos, but he’s not sure if the debate about his ability will ever end.
“It’s kind of great,” Shanahan said of what Tebow has done for the organization. “I had a chance to work on Tim a few times and got a chance to get to know him. He did the same thing at Florida that he’s doing now at Denver. He’s got a way of moving the ball, finding a way to get the ball in the end zone, and people are playing at a high level around him, and people still come up with the big question mark. Going against a team that scores some points, can he play a catch-up game? But he’ll keep on getting better and better, and I don’t think the controversy will ever end.”
